President Ho Chi Minh with the Judiciary

President Ho Chi Minh signed the Decree promulgating the 1959 Constitution. Minister of Justice Vu Dinh Hoe stands far left. (Photo: Archive)

In any circumstance, Ho Chi Minh 's thoughts on the judiciary are always consistent, thorough and deeply topical: that is, to "serve the public, follow the law, be impartial and impartial"; that judicial officials must "be close to the people, understand the people, help the people, learn from the people"; that the judiciary must contribute to building a truly rule of law regime for the people, democratic and fair.
In 1948, the Ministry of Justice organized a National Judicial Conference. Because he did not attend the Conference in person, President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the Conference as follows:
“… Judicial work, like any other work, the more we do it, the more we progress, but the more we progress, the more clearly we see the obstacles and shortcomings that remain. And we must try harder to resolve or overcome those obstacles and shortcomings.
You are intellectuals. You have the heavy and glorious responsibility of setting an example for the people in all matters. Our people have fought very bravely. Of course, intellectuals must sacrifice and fight even more bravely to set an example for the people.
… The judiciary is an important agency of the government, so it must unite and coordinate closely with other agencies to avoid conflicts with each other, which can harm the large and common interests of both the judiciary and the administration for the sake of small and personal interests.
You are the ones in charge of enforcing the law. Of course you need to set an example of “serving the public, abiding by the law, being impartial and selfless” for the people to follow… ”.
In 1950, directly giving a speech at the study conference of judicial officials, he emphasized the role and significance of law:
“… Our current laws protect the rights of millions of workers… Our laws are truly democratic laws, because they protect the freedom and broad democracy of the working people. Our people now have freedom, freedom within discipline. Each person has his or her own freedom, but must respect the freedom of others. Anyone who uses his or her freedom to the point of violating the freedom of others is breaking the law . ”
The person advised:
“… We also see that our current laws are not adequate. You have the responsibility to contribute to making our laws better and richer. We must strive to make democratic laws more and more abundant and better.
… Must be close to the people, understand the people, help the people, learn from the people. Help the people, learn from the people to help yourself become more honest, more fair. Furthermore, must always try to study theory, study the Government 's policies...
In short, you must be fair, honest, clean, close to the people, understand the people, help the people, and learn from the people .
After 1954, the North was liberated, starting the construction of a new society - a socialist society, actively taking on the role of "Great Rear" for the "Great Frontline" which was the South, which was continuing the fight against foreign invaders. At the National Judicial Conference in 1957, with the difficulties of more than 02 years of peace restored in the North, He reminded the Judicial staff about their work duties and especially about the spirit of solidarity...
“…In that common task, the judiciary needs to contribute its part in implementing the rule of law, maintaining and protecting people's rights, and protecting our democratic regime.
… To carry out this task, several points need to be noted:
Internal solidarity from top to bottom, from bottom to top, setting an example for the people. Unity is our strength. At the beginning of the resistance war, our forces were weaker than the enemy, but we won because we were united. Therefore, the Judicial sector, if it wants to overcome difficulties, must be truly united, if it wants to be truly united, it must be based on a firm stance, clear thinking, internal democracy, must help each other learn and progress, honestly criticize and self-criticize…”.
President Ho Chi Minh's teachings for the Judiciary are not only an ideological legacy, but also a specific direction for action for each cadre and unit in the Ministry and the Judiciary today. In the context where the entire Party and people are promoting the construction and perfection of the socialist rule-of-law state, the Judiciary needs to take the lead in institutional innovation, improving the quality of law-making and enforcement, judicial reform, and effectively serving the cause of national development. This is not only a continuation of the belief that President Ho Chi Minh has entrusted, but also the most practical way to affirm the role, position and political mettle of the Judiciary in the new era.